We welcomed a new member joining our Club, Mel Cullingford. Mel has established the Empower Youth charity in the Manningham area.
She is creating meaningful change for young people involved in the social services system and is aimed to help minimise family breakdowns. She and her Team are helping to support people to better understand what is happening, and to work together to create change across the whole environment. Welcome Mel.
The first of the two Primary School Speech Contests will be held on Wednesday, 17th June at the Doncaster Secondary College Performance Centre, 123 Church Road, Doncaster, commencing at 7:00 pm.
The event will feature primary schools from the Templestowe and Manningham areas.
The schools competing in the first section this year are:
Templestowe Valley Primary School
Templestowe Park Primary School
Templestowe Heights Primary School
St Kevin's Primary School
Milgate Primary School
An apology has been received from Serpell Primary School, which will not be participating this year.
The judges are from Toastmasters International.
The event sponsors are:
Bendigo Bank
Bunnings Doncaster
WSP Performing Arts School
Generations Dental
The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. Come along and be inspired by these talented young speakers.
The second Speech Contest will be held on 15th July and will feature primary schools from the Doncaster and Bulleen areas.
Registrations are now open for the Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026, 30 Oct–1 Nov in Melbourne. This year’s theme — People • Planet • Peace — brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers. Members will leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed confidence in Rotary’s future.
Clubs and members are encouraged to also consider:
·President’s Breakfast (Sat) — an energising session with incoming RI President Larry Lunsford, designed for current and future club leaders. Registration Link
·Rotary Foundation Masterclass (Fri) — with Past RI President and incoming TRF Trustee Chair Gordon McInally, focusing on mental health, impact, and how clubs can use Foundation grants more effectively. Registration Link
·Saturday Gala Dinner — Unmasked: Masquerade Ball A spectacular evening featuring performances from classical musicals, a professional jazz band, a Phantom‑themed surprise duet, and a dramatic all‑guest unmasking moment. Clubs may wish to book as a group via the main conference registration site.
·Friday night fellowship dinner – an informal opportunity to socialise with members from across the region. Registration Link
